
Karthusvs Zac
Karthus vs Zac is a decisive matchup in LoL patch 26.11. Zac wins with a 64.3% win rate (+28.6%) over Karthus based on 14 games. Zac holds the advantage in both the early and late game. Below you'll find the best Karthus build, runes, laning stats, and strategies for the Karthus vs Zac matchup.
Karthus Matchup Breakdown
Use the dropdown to select an opponent and see a detailed breakdown of how Karthus performs against them. You'll get head-to-head win rates, laning stats, the best build and runes for the matchup, and early vs late game analysis — all based on real ranked data.
Who Wins the Karthus vs Zac Matchup?

Karthus vs Zac Matchup Summary
The Karthus vs Zac matchup is a decisive matchup in League of Legends ranked play. Based on 14 recent matches analyzed, Zac wins with a 64.3% win rate compared to Karthus's 35.7%, giving Zac a 28.6 percentage point advantage. Zac dominates at every stage — from early laning through late game team fights. This consistent advantage makes it difficult for Karthus players to find favorable windows, so team-dependent strategies and avoiding solo confrontations are essential. The most significant statistical gap is in sustain, where Zac leads by 2,397 HP/min — a difference that heavily influences the outcome of trades and skirmishes. Zac has a strong advantage in this matchup. Karthus players should play defensively, prioritize safe farming under tower, and look for opportunities created by jungle pressure or Zac overextending. Avoid prolonged trades and wait for team fights where positioning and coordination matter more. Understanding these matchup dynamics is essential for champion select decisions and in-game strategy when facing this lane opponent.
Karthus vs Zac Laning Phase Breakdown
Karthus is favored during the laning phase against Zac, winning 3 out of 5 key stat categories. Karthus holds advantages in farming, damage and gold income, making them the stronger laner in this matchup.
Best Karthus Build Against Zac
Sorcerer's Shoes is the optimal boots choice against Zac, providing the mobility and stats Karthus needs most in this matchup. The top-performing core items for Karthus against Zac are Shadowflame, Rabadon's Deathcap and Blackfire Torch. This combination gives Karthus an effective balance of damage, survivability, and utility for the matchup. This build performs exceptionally well, achieving a 66.7% win rate across 3 games — well above average and making it the top item path against Zac. Adjustments may be needed based on team compositions and game state, but this build provides the strongest foundation for the Karthus vs Zac matchup.
Early Game vs Late Game
Zac dominates the early game (first 15 minutes) with a commanding 55.6% win rate — a 11.1 percentage point lead over Karthus. This lopsided early game means Zac can dictate the pace of the lane from level 1, controlling trades, wave state, and river priority.
Zac is far superior in the late game (25+ minutes), boasting a 80.0% win rate — 60.0 points above Karthus. Extended games heavily favor Zac, whose kit and scaling make them a dominant force in team fights and objective control.
Zac holds the advantage at every stage of the game, making this a consistently favorable matchup from lane through late game team fights. Karthus players should look for outplays, team-dependent strategies, and picks rather than relying on scaling to win this matchup.
Best Karthus Runes Against Zac
The Inspiration and Domination rune setup gives Karthus the best tools to compete against Zac in this difficult matchup, compensating for the statistical disadvantages with optimal rune synergies.
Karthus matchup data for League of Legends patch 26.11. The table below shows Karthus's win rate, gold difference, and performance stats against every champion in the current meta. Click any champion name to see a detailed head-to-head breakdown including the best Karthus build, runes, laning stats, and early vs late game analysis for that specific matchup.
Opponent | Win Rate | Matches | CS/min | DMG/min | Gold/game | Early WR | Late WR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49.09% | 55 | 1.4 | 1,030 | 12,957 | 47.8% | 50.0% | |
| 43.64% | 55 | 1.7 | 1,170 | 13,037 | 40.0% | 46.7% | |
| 45.10% | 51 | 1.6 | 1,057 | 13,346 | 31.8% | 55.2% | |
| 59.18% | 49 | 6.3 | 1,291 | 13,609 | 50.0% | 65.5% | |
| 52.08% | 48 | 1.5 | 1,259 | 14,655 | 47.1% | 54.8% | |
| 42.22% | 45 | 1.5 | 1,017 | 13,071 | 43.8% | 41.4% | |
| 37.78% | 45 | 1.3 | 1,027 | 12,768 | 40.9% | 34.8% | |
| 64.44% | 45 | 6.5 | 1,326 | 16,022 | 86.7% | 53.3% | |
| 50.00% | 42 | 6.6 | 1,197 | 13,070 | 66.7% | 33.3% | |
| 43.59% | 39 | 6.3 | 1,215 | 13,238 | 50.0% | 36.8% | |
| 57.89% | 38 | 1.4 | 1,263 | 13,760 | 53.3% | 60.9% | |
| 47.37% | 38 | 1.5 | 1,144 | 13,402 | 37.5% | 54.5% | |
| 34.21% | 38 | 1.9 | 1,067 | 12,867 | 40.0% | 30.4% | |
| 43.24% | 37 | 1.8 | 1,212 | 13,463 | 57.1% | 34.8% | |
| 38.24% | 34 | 7.0 | 1,247 | 13,842 | 33.3% | 42.1% | |
| 46.88% | 32 | 1.8 | 1,146 | 12,845 | 38.5% | 52.6% | |
| 43.33% | 30 | 1.8 | 1,294 | 14,569 | 58.3% | 33.3% | |
| 55.17% | 29 | 6.1 | 1,203 | 12,390 | 66.7% | 42.9% | |
| 46.43% | 28 | 1.4 | 1,030 | 12,474 | 53.3% | 38.5% | |
| 57.14% | 28 | 6.6 | 1,423 | 15,214 | 50.0% | 62.5% | |
| 40.74% | 27 | 1.3 | 1,335 | 15,992 | 16.7% | 47.6% | |
| 28.00% | 25 | 1.8 | 1,163 | 13,295 | 30.0% | 26.7% | |
| 66.67% | 24 | 1.6 | 1,146 | 14,337 | 75.0% | 58.3% | |
| 45.45% | 22 | 1.5 | 1,307 | 14,905 | 50.0% | 44.4% | |
| 66.67% | 21 | 2.2 | 1,201 | 13,572 | 77.8% | 58.3% | |
| 55.00% | 20 | 1.6 | 1,267 | 13,968 | 60.0% | 50.0% | |
| 68.42% | 19 | 5.6 | 1,496 | 16,092 | 100.0% | 60.0% | |
| 63.16% | 19 | 1.3 | 1,116 | 14,409 | 62.5% | 63.6% | |
| 38.89% | 18 | 1.5 | 1,448 | 14,535 | 42.9% | 36.4% | |
| 55.56% | 18 | 6.4 | 1,276 | 13,454 | 66.7% | 44.4% | |
| 72.22% | 18 | 5.1 | 1,121 | 11,322 | 60.0% | 87.5% | |
| 35.29% | 17 | 1.5 | 1,056 | 12,455 | 36.4% | 33.3% | |
| 52.94% | 17 | 1.3 | 1,370 | 15,161 | 57.1% | 50.0% | |
| 76.47% | 17 | 6.5 | 1,263 | 15,482 | 80.0% | 75.0% | |
| 47.06% | 17 | 1.5 | 960 | 12,244 | 44.4% | 50.0% | |
| 52.94% | 17 | 6.5 | 1,330 | 13,719 | 66.7% | 45.5% | |
| 43.75% | 16 | 1.4 | 1,244 | 15,497 | 50.0% | 41.7% | |
| 56.25% | 16 | 1.3 | 1,080 | 13,221 | 80.0% | 45.5% | |
| 53.33% | 15 | 5.4 | 1,373 | 13,678 | 75.0% | 45.5% | |
| 35.71% | 14 | 1.6 | 1,239 | 13,567 | 44.4% | 20.0% | |
| 28.57% | 14 | 6.7 | 1,359 | 11,934 | 50.0% | 12.5% | |
| 42.86% | 14 | 2.4 | 1,250 | 14,777 | 40.0% | 44.4% | |
| 50.00% | 14 | 1.6 | 1,082 | 15,541 | 25.0% | 60.0% | |
| 69.23% | 13 | 6.5 | 1,305 | 13,965 | 57.1% | 83.3% | |
| 61.54% | 13 | 6.5 | 1,256 | 12,939 | 60.0% | 62.5% | |
| 53.85% | 13 | 2.5 | 1,052 | 12,276 | 75.0% | 44.4% | |
| 58.33% | 12 | 5.9 | 1,027 | 10,269 | 57.1% | 60.0% | |
| 83.33% | 12 | 1.3 | 1,229 | 13,183 | 80.0% | 85.7% | |
| 50.00% | 12 | 5.4 | 1,340 | 14,967 | 75.0% | 37.5% | |
| 45.45% | 11 | 1.4 | 1,031 | 13,145 | 57.1% | 25.0% | |
| 72.73% | 11 | 1.6 | 1,027 | 12,997 | 100.0% | 57.1% | |
| 27.27% | 11 | 5.9 | 1,132 | 13,232 | 0.0% | 42.9% | |
| 30.00% | 10 | 3.2 | 1,059 | 13,472 | 25.0% | 33.3% | |
| 70.00% | 10 | 7.4 | 1,271 | 15,568 | 100.0% | 57.1% | |
| 70.00% | 10 | 2.9 | 1,144 | 15,271 | 100.0% | 62.5% | |
| 50.00% | 10 | 7.2 | 1,138 | 12,216 | 50.0% | 50.0% | |
| 40.00% | 10 | 2.9 | 1,376 | 15,578 | 0.0% | 44.4% | |
| 55.56% | 9 | 5.5 | 1,266 | 13,151 | 50.0% | 60.0% | |
| 33.33% | 9 | 4.9 | 927 | 10,925 | 20.0% | 50.0% | |
| 44.44% | 9 | 6.2 | 1,072 | 10,467 | 33.3% | 66.7% | |
| 55.56% | 9 | 3.3 | 1,212 | 14,875 | 100.0% | 42.9% | |
| 55.56% | 9 | 1.4 | 1,252 | 15,076 | 100.0% | 42.9% | |
| 77.78% | 9 | 2.9 | 1,165 | 14,153 | 66.7% | 83.3% | |
| 33.33% | 9 | 2.1 | 1,195 | 13,834 | 33.3% | 33.3% | |
| 87.50% | 8 | 1.3 | 1,113 | 14,337 | 80.0% | 100.0% | |
| 25.00% | 8 | 1.3 | 1,285 | 13,222 | 50.0% | 16.7% | |
| 87.50% | 8 | 6.4 | 1,182 | 14,464 | 50.0% | 100.0% | |
| 75.00% | 8 | 1.7 | 1,650 | 16,965 | 50.0% | 83.3% | |
| 75.00% | 8 | 6.7 | 1,197 | 15,023 | 75.0% | 75.0% | |
| 62.50% | 8 | 2.0 | 991 | 13,519 | 100.0% | 50.0% | |
| 37.50% | 8 | 1.7 | 996 | 13,524 | 0.0% | 50.0% | |
| 57.14% | 7 | 6.3 | 1,632 | 17,174 | 100.0% | 50.0% | |
| 42.86% | 7 | 2.9 | 1,108 | 11,950 | 25.0% | 66.7% | |
| 14.29% | 7 | 1.1 | 907 | 12,626 | 25.0% | 0.0% | |
| 71.43% | 7 | 6.9 | 1,202 | 14,284 | 50.0% | 80.0% | |
| 85.71% | 7 | 5.5 | 1,332 | 17,108 | 0.0% | 85.7% | |
| 42.86% | 7 | 4.1 | 1,210 | 13,964 | 0.0% | 50.0% | |
| 28.57% | 7 | 6.0 | 1,442 | 13,367 | 0.0% | 40.0% | |
| 57.14% | 7 | 7.0 | 1,427 | 13,690 | 33.3% | 75.0% | |
| 57.14% | 7 | 2.4 | 1,124 | 12,107 | 40.0% | 100.0% | |
| 85.71% | 7 | 1.0 | 1,062 | 14,104 | 50.0% | 100.0% | |
| 50.00% | 6 | 7.1 | 1,388 | 12,743 | 50.0% | 50.0% | |
| 33.33% | 6 | 6.8 | 1,144 | 11,486 | 0.0% | 66.7% | |
| 66.67% | 6 | 4.2 | 1,440 | 15,135 | 100.0% | 60.0% | |
| 33.33% | 6 | 2.3 | 965 | 9,779 | 0.0% | 50.0% | |
| 33.33% | 6 | 2.5 | 1,074 | 12,120 | 50.0% | 0.0% | |
| 33.33% | 6 | 6.6 | 1,316 | 11,448 | 0.0% | 66.7% | |
| 16.67% | 6 | 5.8 | 1,303 | 13,270 | 0.0% | 25.0% | |
| 50.00% | 6 | 2.5 | 1,437 | 16,735 | 0.0% | 75.0% | |
| 20.00% | 5 | 6.3 | 1,409 | 13,939 | 0.0% | 33.3% | |
| 40.00% | 5 | 5.3 | 798 | 6,518 | 0.0% | 100.0% | |
| 40.00% | 5 | 1.1 | 1,418 | 14,804 | 0.0% | 50.0% | |
| 40.00% | 5 | 3.4 | 1,190 | 15,035 | 0.0% | 50.0% | |
| 60.00% | 5 | 4.6 | 1,656 | 13,732 | 66.7% | 50.0% | |
| 80.00% | 5 | 6.7 | 1,331 | 10,470 | 66.7% | 100.0% | |
| 60.00% | 5 | 2.0 | 1,292 | 14,405 | 100.0% | 50.0% | |
| 20.00% | 5 | 6.0 | 1,206 | 10,846 | 33.3% | 0.0% | |
| 40.00% | 5 | 6.7 | 1,012 | 12,710 | 0.0% | 50.0% | |
| 40.00% | 5 | 6.3 | 1,482 | 13,690 | 100.0% | 25.0% | |
| 60.00% | 5 | 5.9 | 1,400 | 13,383 | 66.7% | 50.0% | |
| 40.00% | 5 | 6.5 | 1,189 | 9,677 | 25.0% | 100.0% | |
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Karthus vs Zac - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Karthus do against Zac in League of Legends?
Zac wins the Karthus vs Zac matchup with a 64.3% win rate compared to Karthus's 35.7%, a 28.6 percentage point difference. This data is based on 14 recent ranked games in patch 26.11.
How does Karthus do against Zac in the early game?
In the early game, Zac has the advantage against Karthus with a 55.6% win rate versus 44.4%. Zac players should look to press their lane advantage through aggressive trades and wave control during the first 15 minutes.
How does Karthus do against Zac in the late game?
In the late game, Zac takes over the Karthus vs Zac matchup with a 80.0% win rate compared to 20.0%. Zac scales better into team fights and objective contests after 25 minutes.
Who wins the Karthus vs Zac matchup?
Zac wins the matchup against Karthus with a 64.3% win rate in League of Legends patch 26.11. The 28.6 percentage point advantage means Zac is significantly favored in this lane matchup based on 14 games analyzed.
What is the best Karthus build against Zac?
The best Karthus build against Zac includes Shadowflame, Rabadon's Deathcap, Blackfire Torch with Sorcerer's Shoes. This build achieves a 66.7% win rate in the matchup. Check the matchup breakdown above for the full item path and build order.
What are the best Karthus runes against Zac?
The best Karthus runes against Zac use the Inspiration primary tree with Domination secondary. This rune setup achieves a 100.0% win rate in the Karthus vs Zac matchup. See the full rune breakdown in the matchup comparison above.
Does Karthus counter Zac?
No, Karthus struggles against Zac with only a 35.7% win rate. Zac has the advantage in this matchup. Karthus players should focus on safe farming and avoiding extended trades to minimize Zac's lead.
How do I play Karthus against Zac?
When playing Karthus against Zac, play cautiously and avoid Zac's power spikes. Look for jungle assistance and team-dependent plays since Zac has the statistical advantage at most stages. Use the matchup-specific build and runes above to optimize your chances.
